Upbeat Bellamy looks on bright side

Craig Bellamy today branded Newcastle's early season form a disgrace - but said they could still catch up with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Bobby Robson's side failed to get through Champions League qualifiers and lie third from bottom of the Premiership with six points from seven games.

Rumours - which have since been denied - circulated last week that the Newcastle manager had resigned as a result of his club's problems.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are pulling away at the top of the Premiership and Bellamy, who is with the Wales squad preparing for their final Euro 2004 qualifier against Serbia and Montenegro in Cardiff on Saturday, thinks those clubs will occupy the top three positions at the end of the season.

But he is confident Newcastle will finish just behind them. The Wales striker said: "We have not started the season well but we have got a lot of good characters. We have got too many good players to be lingering where we are.

"It is not a case of doing it for the manager. You have to do it for yourself, that is where it all starts. We owe a debt to Newcastle as a football club. Where we are in the league is nothing short of a disgrace.

"But the Champions League is a possibility for us, there is no doubt about that. There are three sides who are pushing United at the moment: Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. It is between us and Liverpool really for that fourth spot.

"Manchester United and Arsenal are always going to be up there. Chelsea were a great side last year and have spent more than £100million to improve themselves.

"I don't think Chelsea have performed that well at all so far but they are winning and will get better.

"So it is going to be tough for us and we know that. But without being too disrespectful to other sides, we will finish in the top five this season. We were in much the same position this time last season and finished third."

On the international front, Bellamy is not worried about who Wales may draw in the play-offs, with Holland, Spain and England potential opponents.

Mark Hughes's team are assured of a play-off place but have given up hope of finishing top of Group Nine because Italy would have to fail to beat Azerbaijan at home for them to have a chance.

Bellamy said: "I don't have a preference who we draw. No matter who we play they are going to be good. You don't want to play the best but I'm sure there will be one or two sides not wanting to play us."

Meanwhile, striker John Hartson, who should win his 38th international cap on Saturday, has been named Wales Footballer of the Year for the second time.